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 Code of Federal Regulations (Last Updated: July 5, 2024)
 Title 46 - Shipping
 Chapter I - Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security
 SubChapter W - Lifesaving Appliances and Arrangements
 Part 199 - Lifesaving Systems for Certain Inspected Vessels
 Subpart F - Exemptions and Alternatives for Vessels Not Subject to SOLAS

  § 199.610 - Exemptions for vessels in specified services.  

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  • § 199.610 Exemptions for vessels in specified services.

    (a) All vessels. Vessels operating in coastwise, Great Lakes, lakes, bays and sounds, and rivers services are exempt from requirements in subparts A through E of this part as specified in table 199.610(a) of this section.

    Table 199.610(a) - Exemptions for All Vessels in Specified Services

    Section or paragraph in this part Service
    Coastwise Great Lakes Lakes, bays, and sounds Rivers
    199.60(c): Distress signals (1) (1) Exempt Exempt.
    199.70(a)(3)(iii): Lifebuoys fitted with smoke signals Exempt Exempt Exempt Exempt.
    199.70(b)(1)(i): Carriage of additional child-size lifejackets (2) (2) (2) (2)
    199.70(b)(4)(i): Lifejacket lights (for lifejackets) (3) (3) Exempt Exempt.
    199.70(c)(4)(i): Lifejacket lights (for immersion suits) (3) (3) Exempt Exempt.
    199.70(b)(4)(ii): Lifejacket whistles Exempt Exempt Exempt Exempt.
    199.70(c): Immersion suits for rescue boat crew members Not Exempt Not Exempt Exempt Exempt.
    199.70(c)(4)(ii): Immersion suit whistles Exempt Exempt Exempt Exempt.
    199.100(c)(1): Requirements for person-in-charge of survival craft Not Exempt Not Exempt Not Exempt Exempt.
    199.100(d): Designation of second-in-command of lifeboat (4) (4) (4) Exempt.
    199.110(f): Embarkation ladders at launching stations (5) (5) (5) (5)
    199.130(a)(4): Survival craft stowage position Not Exempt Not Exempt Exempt Exempt.
    199.170: Line-throwing appliance Not Exempt Exempt Exempt Exempt.
    199.175(b)(21)(i)(G) or 199.640(j)(4)(iii)(E): Float-free link (6) (6) (6) (6)
    199.190(j): Renewal of survival craft falls Not Exempt (7) (7) (7)
    199.202 or 199.262 Rescue boats (8) (8) (8) (8)
    199.510: EPIRB requirement (8 9) (8 10) Exempt Exempt.

    Notes:

    1 Exempt if the vessel operates on a route with a duration of 30 minutes or less.

    2 Exempt if the vessel does not carry persons smaller than the lower size limit of the lifejackets carried.

    3 Exempt if the vessel is a ferry or has no overnight accommodations.

    4 Exempt if the lifeboat has a carrying capacity of less than 40 persons.

    5 Exempt if the distance is less than 3 meters (10 feet) from the embarkation deck to the water with the vessel in its lightest seagoing operating condition.

    6 Exempt if the vessel operates on a route on which the water depth is never more than the length of the painter.

    7 Exempt if the vessel operates on a fresh water route and inspection shows that the falls are not damaged by corrosion.

    8 Exempt if the vessel is non-self propelled and in tow, moored to or alongside a MODU or a self-propelled vessel, or moored to shore.

    9 Exempt if the vessel is a cargo vessel under 300 tons gross tonnage and operates on a route no more than 3 nautical miles from shore.

    10 Exempt if the vessel operates on a route no more than 3 nautical miles from shore.

    (b) Passenger vessels. In addition to the exemptions in paragraph (a) of this section, passenger vessels operating in coastwise; Great Lakes; lakes, bays, and sounds; and rivers service are exempt from requirements in subparts A through E of this part as specified in table 199.610(b) of this section.

    Table 199.610(b) - Exemptions for Passenger Vessels in Specified Services

    Section or paragraph in this part Service
    Coastwise Great Lakes Lakes, bays, and sounds Rivers
    199.203: Marshalling of liferafts Not Exempt Exempt Exempt Exempt.
    199.211(b): Lights on lifebuoys (1) (1) (1) (1)
    199.212(a): Carriage of additional five percent lifejackets Exempt Exempt Exempt Exempt.
    199.214: Immersion suits and thermal protective aids in lifeboats Not Exempt Not Exempt Exempt Exempt.

    Note:

    1 Exempt if the length of vessel is under 60 meters (197 feet) and there are self-igniting lights attached to at least one-half the required lifebuoys.

    (c) Cargo vessels. In addition to the exemptions in paragraph (a) of this section, cargo vessels are exempt from requirements in subparts A through E of this part as specified in table 199.610(c) of this section.

    Table 199.610(c) - Exemptions for Cargo Vessels in Specified Services

    Section or paragraph in this part Service
    Oceans Coastwise Great Lakes Lakes, Bays, and Sounds Rivers
    199.70(a)(3)(ii): Lights on lifebuoys Not exempt (1) (1) (1) (1)
    199.80(b): Muster list (2) (2) (2) (2) (2)
    199.262(a): Rescue boats (2 3) (3) (3) (3) (3)
    199.273: Immersion suits Not exempt Not exempt Not exempt Exempt Exempt

    Notes:

    1 Exempt if the length of vessel is under 30 meters (99 feet).

    2 Exempt if the vessel is under 500 tons gross tonnage.

    3 Exempt if - (i) the OCMI determines the vessel is arranged to allow a helpless person to be recovered from the water.

    (ii) recovery of the helpless person can be observed from the navigating bridge; and

    (iii) the vessel does not regularly engage in operations that restrict its maneuverability.

    [CGD 84-069, 61 FR 25313, May 20, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 52819, Oct. 1, 1998; USCG-1999-6216, 64 FR 53229, Oct. 1, 1999; USCG-2000-7790, 65 FR 58465, Sept. 29, 2000]